The Doctor and the Bad Wolf Chapter 8
AN: Sorry for the wait, I was super swamped before break and kinda busy over the holiday. Well here's the next chapter, I head back to campus later today so who knows when the next chapter will be up, but I'll start ASAP!
Thanks to those who left reviews and have favorite and followed the story! You guys are so great! Again I own nothing but my own original plot points! Enjoy!
The Doctor woke up after a power nap. He sonic cleaned his pin striped suit and pulled on short sleeved and long sleeved undershirts, then replaced his oxford. He did this for Rose's comfort, his body temperature was lower than humans were used to and he didn't want this to bother her. He never had this problem with his old body but that body was not attuned to touch like this one was. He hoped this would keep Rose comfortable and would allow him to still be close to her.
The Tardis was happy that he was adjusting his life for her. *So are you finally going to admit you have feelings for her?*
"Aye, leave my head alone!" he shouted. "And no...She will never know," he sighed.
The Tardis huffed at her thief. If he wasn't going to do anything about it then she would. She moved around the rooms inside her halls. She placed Rose's room on the other side or the Doctor's door.
The Doctor walked out of his wardrobe and went to make a morning pot of tea for Rose and him. He planned to take her to the 1970's to a few concerts, something fun. She would need to rest her mind to heal from what Cassandra had done, he wasn't sure what emotional trauma she had endured either.
He walked to his door and opened it; he wasn't paying attention and almost tripped over a pile of clothes on Rose's floor. He caught himself and looked around. The door he had just walked through held his room on one side and Rose's room on the other.
The Time Lord looked towards Rose's bed hoping she hadn't woken up. He sighed in relief, noticing she was still asleep. He watched her for a second; she looked so relaxed and beautiful.
*You can't keep denying her,* the Tardis pleaded with him. *You and I both know how you feel.*
Let me out of here, if Rose wakes up and I'm in here, it won't matter how I feel, she'll leave, he pleaded with his ship in his mind.
*Fine! You take the fun out of everything!* the Tardis complained as she moved the rooms back to across the hall from each other.
The Doctor walked out of Rose's room and into the kitchen, "Thank you, now would you just let me handle this in my own way?"
*No, because then the future will never turn out the way it should,* the Tardis complained. *You've seen the timelines and you know how things are supposed to work out, so why do you keep denying yourself and Rose a shot at happiness?*
"Fine, when Rose's mind heals and she recovers from any emotional trauma that Cassandra caused, then I will work on figuring out this whole timelines thing," he said getting all the necessary things for making tea out.
The Tardis sighed at him and felt Rose stir from her sleep. She decided to comfort her instead.
*Good Morning Rose is your head feeling any better?* the Tardis greeted the new Time Lady.
"It's not pounding like it was no, but I'm so embarrassed, did all that really happen?" Rose asked the ship sitting up slowly.
The Tardis saw the memories that Rose was referring to and gave her comfort. *I'm afraid so, child. But do not fear the Doctor does not blame you.*
"Ugh, I wish it was all a dream. I can't believe that Cassandra just blurted out how I feel…" she groaned lying down again.
*It will all be fine, trust me my daughter of time,* the Tardis said to her offering her motherly love and understanding. *Why don't you go take a nice warm shower then see what the Doctor has planned for you today,* she suggested to the woman who seemed so troubled.
"Okay, thank you for being there and not bringing any of this up to him," Rose said. She was grateful to have someone to talk to about all this confusion between her and the Doctor. She welcomed the ship into her mind now because she knew that she meant no harm, unlike some beings in the universe. "Could you tell me where or when he might be taking me?" Rose asked trying to think of what she might wear.
*Earth 1970's I believe to some sort of music concert.*
"Thanks, let him know I'll be down in a bit," Rose smiled at the ships help.
The Tardis sent her another wave of comfort and left her in peace to get ready for the day.
The ship decided that she wasn't done messing with the Doctor. He should really know that what he has with Rose is special and should not be taken for granted. She found her thief in the kitchen and decided that she would move the kitchen into Rose's personal closet in her room.
Of course the Time Lord was not paying attention; he was busy looking at a list of concerts that happened within the 1970's so he could get some ideas as to where he was taking Rose next. The Tardis heard Rose leave the shower and walk towards her wardrobe in only a towel.
Rose walked into the wardrobe and shrieked. She hid behind a long dress that was hanging up, "Doctor, why are you in my closet?"
The Time Lord jumped at the sound of Rose's question. He looked around and his cheeks reddened at the sight of Rose's state of clothing or lack there of. "I'm actually in the kitchen, but the Tardis seems to be playing tricks again!" he said annoyed. What do you think you're doing?
*I'm just trying to make you see reason,* the Tardis replied to the Doctor's thought.
You can move in back now and we can discuss this while Rose gets ready. The Doctor pushed back at his ship.
*Fine, but no avoiding this time Doctor* the Tardis replied sing-song-y. She moved the kitchen back and reached out to Rose, *I'm sorry dear Rose that was meant to affect the Doctor not you as much.*
"It's okay, just glad I grabbed my towel," Rose laughed nervously.
*Get dressed and join the Doctor in the kitchen* the Tardis said leaving Rose to get ready for the days adventures. She finally shifted over to focus on the Time Lord. *Are you done avoiding this…*
"I'm not avoiding it! I know that there is no way we can be together! I am still set to follow the set of rules that are ingrained into my brain by Rassilon!" He yelled at his ship, frustrated with the rules not the Tardis.
*You can't say that, you break the no interfering rule all the time, so don't pull that rule following bit with me,* the Tardis argued back.
"That's…different, I had a professor in the Academy that gave exceptions to that rule but I never had anyone condone human/Time Lord relationships," he sighed.
*But you know that there were relationships like this?* the Tardis asked pulling memories from his mind.
"Yes but they were banished for such crimes," he argued back half-heartedly.
*Who will banish you now? Where are they going to banish you from? Here, I won't let them. The Earth, they don't have the power. I don't understand why you won't just let this happen, I know that you will be so much happier if you do,* the Tardis explained to her beloved thief.
"I know that physically these rules don't stand but it was part of my life for so long, it'd hard to just get past now," he tried to explain.
*But it's not fair to you or Rose; you should just give up those silly rules. You've been breaking them ever since you stole me,* the Tardis retorted.
"I borrowed you!" the Time Lord argued.
Rose walked in wearing denim mini-dungarees and a pink t-shirt. She laughed at the Doctor's yelling, "What are you two yelling about now?"
"She thinks I stole her," he said crossing his arms.
*I wanted to see the stars and so did you, so I stole you, a Time Lord who wanted to travel and wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty.* the Tardis said back.
"I borrowed you! I would've brought you back, when I was done."
*Whatever I'm still calling you my thief.*
Rose laughed at the exchange, "You might've had every intention to bring her back but you can't now so…you did kind of steal her," Rose reasoned. "So you are both kinda right." She grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured herself some tea. She sat down at the small table with the Doctor.
"Rose, I'm sorry about earlier, my ship is being ridiculous but I think we agreed that that won't happen anymore," he said looking at the ceiling.
*I didn't agree to anything, thief* the ship teased back.
Rose giggled, "Its fine Doctor, I had a towel no harm done." This caused both people to blush and look down. "S-so…what're we doing today?"
"I thought a relaxing day of going to some of the best concerts in the 1970's!" he said getting up and dragging her to the console room.
"What do you think of this? Will it do?" Rose asked looking at her outfit.
The Doctor looked at her outfit and smiled, she looked beautiful as always and she got to show her legs. He shook himself out of this thought process and nodded, "In the late 1970s? You'd be better off in a bin bag." Truthfully she would look beautiful in that as well, he shook himself again and grabbed a CD, "Hold on, listen to this," he put disk into the Tardis player. Music began to play, "Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Number One in 1979."
"You're a punk," Rose laughed.
"It's good to be a lunatic," he sang along with the music.
"That's what you are. A big old punk with a bit of rockabillly thrown in," she teased.
The Tardis was happy with her travelers happy again. She hoped that the Time Lord would just be with his Time Lady.
"Would you like to see him?" he asked breaking out of song.
"How'd you mean? In concert?" she asked shocked by the question.
"What else is a Tardis for? I can take you to the Battle of Trafalgar, the first anti-gravity Olympics, Caesar crossing the Rubicon or Ian Dury at the Top Rank, Sheffield, England, Earth, 21st November, 1979. What do you think?" he rambled trying to impress her.
"Sheffield it is," she agreed and pushed the buttons that the Tardis told her.
"Hold on tight," he said pulling the final lever in the sequence.
The Doctor beat the rhythm of the song on the console as they travelled and the Tardis complained.
"Stop!" Rose said grabbing her head.
The Tardis landed suddenly being pulled in by a timeline's distress. This threw the occupants around and on to the floor.
Rose and the Doctor both laughed. The Doctor jumped up onto his feet and pulled his companion down the ramp, "1979. Hell of a year, China invades Vietnam, The Muppet Movie, love that film. Margaret Thatcher. Skylab falls to Earth, with a little help from me. Nearly took off my thumb," he rambled as he opened the doors and walked outside. "And I like my thumb. I need my thumb. I'm very attached to…"
Rifles were cocked and pointed at the couple. Rose and the Doctor looked around quickly and raised their hands in surrender. They were surrounded by rolling hills and fields and for the looks of the men holding the guns, they were far from 1979. They were surrounded by Redcoats. The officer in charge was on a black horse.
"1879, same difference," the Doctor shrugged looking at Rose.
Rose wanted to laugh at his bad driving and his nonchalance about being surrounded by guns, it was so him; and she didn't really care. This was a quality that she fell in love with because he could make any situation better, no matter how bad it had started out.
The officer in charge addressed them, "You will explain your presence, and the nakedness of this girl."
Rose blushed looking down at her mini dungarees.
The Time Lord looked at her and assessed her dress again. She looked wonderful to him and the more he looked, the more he wished they hadn't left their ship. He could've had her all to himself. He shook his head again and tasted the air quickly. He figured that they were probably in Scotland about 1879, but that he was only 98.8% certain. He donned a Scottish accent hoping that they were close enough to make it believable. "Are we in Scotland?" he asked cocking his head to the side.
"How can you be ignorant of that?" the head officer scoffed.
Rose had been trying to concentrate on what was going on but all she could think of was the fact that the Scottish accent that the Doctor was using was sexy and made her want him more.
"Oh, I'm, I'm dazed and confused. I've been chasing this, this wee naked child over hill and over dale. Isn't that right, ya timorous beastie?" he asked looking towards his daydreaming Time Lady.
Rose brought herself out of her own head and tried to mimic his lead, "Och, aye! I've been oot and aboot."
The Doctor shook his head, "No, don't do that."
Rose tried again, "Hoots mon."
"No, really don't. Really," he pleaded with her.
"Will you identify yourself, sir?" the head officer addressed the Doctor, looking at Rose as if she were just an object.
Great another person who thinks I'm his prostitute; at least it is his fault this time.Rose thought to herself rolling her eyes.
"I'm Doctor James McCrimmon, from the township of Balamory. I have my credentials, if I may," the Doctor said and pointed at his coat. He got out his psychic paper and handed it over to the officer. "As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself."
An upper-class English accent came from a carriage nearby, "Let them approach."
"I don't think that's wise, ma'am," the officer advised his unseen superior.
"Let them approach," she repeated.
"You will approach the carriage, and show all due deference," the officer orders the Time Lord and Lady.
A footman opened the door to reveal the Imperial Widow. The Doctor smiled recognizing the Queen, "Rose, might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria, Empress of India and Defender of the Faith," he said reverently bowing.
Rose curtsied and apologized, "Rose Tyler, Ma'am, and my apologies for being so naked."
The Queen did not look on Rose very long and turned to the Doctor, "I've had five daughters. It's nothing to me. But you, Doctor. Show me these credentials."
He handed her the psychic paper.
She looked over it and nodded, "Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my Protector."
The Doctor accepted his psychic paper back and looked at what he had shown the Queen, "Does it? Yes, it does. Good. Good. Then let me ask - why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
"A tree on the line," the Queen replied.
"An accident?" the Doctor asked suspiciously.
"I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned," the Queen said indifferently.
"An assassination attempt?" the Doctor asked almost excitedly.
"What, seriously? There are people out to kill you?" Rose said being pulled from her daydreams about that accent again.
The Queen looked at her surprised at her tone, "I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun."
"Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence. We've sent word ahead. He'll shelter us for tonight, and then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow," the officer said riding up next to the carriage.
"This Doctor and his timorous beastie will come with us," the Queen ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am. We'd better get moving - it's almost nightfall," the officer replied.
"Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!" the Queen said sitting back in her seat. The footman closed the door and the two travelers waited till the carriage past and walked with the soldiers behind the carriage. The Doctor grabbed Rose's hand, he needed to be close to her and make sure that she was okay with this new adventure. Rose smiled at him and squeezed his hand.
"It's funny though, because you say assassination and you just think of Kennedy and stuff. Not her," Rose said revealing her thoughts.
"1879? She's had, oh, six attempts on her life? And I'll tell you something else. We just met Queen Victoria!" the Doctor said laughing.
"I know!" Rose smiled at him, maybe they were back to normal and he just pushed how she acted on New Earth on her being possessed. She was happy that he didn't remember but also sad because he thought that she could never actually love him. She didn't want to dwell on the past so she decided that she would be happy with however he would have her.
"What a laugh!" he smiled back at her, happy that they were back to their regular type of life. No crazy aliens trying to take over Rose's mind, they were just friends and that was great. He wished they could be more but that was impossible.
"She was just sitting there," she giggled in disbelief.
"Like a stamp," he agreed trying to focus on walking and not on her and how amazing she was.
"I want her to say we are not amused. I bet you five quid I can make her say it," Rose teased smiling her signature smile at him.
The Doctor had to swallow slowly to try and get back to normal. He focused on her eyes and laughed, "Well, if I gambled on that, it'd be an abuse of my privileges as a traveler in time."
"Ten quid?" she challenged back.
"Done," he said accepting her challenge.
They followed the carriage and enjoyed each other's company as they took in the scenery. They stopped as the caravan pulled up to a huge mansion. The house was built for the period but Rose admired the antique look that it had. It had a large astronomical observatory on the roof.
The Doctor watched as she looked on the house that the Queen had stopped at. He had no idea why his Tardis had brought them here instead but he had a feeling that things were about to go south.
The Master of the house came out to meet Queen Victoria. "Your Majesty," he addressed as the carriage door was opened again.
"Sir Robert, my apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?" the Queen responded getting out of the carriage.
"She's indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her. The kitchens are barely stocked. I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on," Sir Robert said obviously trying to send the Queen away without being rude.
"Oh, not at all, I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is charming, if rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often, The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside? And please excuse the naked girl," the Queen said ignoring his pleads for her to leave and glaring at Rose again.
The Doctor squeezed her hand as she looked down and blushed, "Sorry."
He thought of a way to tease Rose and see if she would really try to win their bet. He looked at her and smiled, "She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It's was her or the Elephant Man, so…"
Rose's head snapped up and glared at him. He had just insulted her, but he had done it in that gorgeous accent. She looked towards the Queen and frowned, "Thinks he's funny but I'm so not amused. What do you think, Ma'am?" She elbowed the Doctor.
"It hardly matters. Shall we proceed?" the Queen asked turning away from the couple.
"So close," Rose smiled at the Doctor, he placed his hand on her back as they got ready to follow the Queen. Queen Victoria went inside. They waited for the rest of the escort to follow before bringing up the rear.
Commander Reynolds ordered his men, "Makerson and Ramsey, you will escort the property. Hurry up."
The soldiers salute, "Yes, sir." They take a small locked box from the carriage and carry it into the house.
The Doctor watched them curiously, "So what's in there, then?"
The Commander glared at them, "Property of the Crown. You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir. The rest of you go to the rear of the house. Assume your designated positions."
The Doctor and Rose quickly followed the rest of the party inside and wound through the house till they found the observatory. Rose looked around amazed by the room while the Doctor looked around at the beauty of the craftsmanship.
"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour," the Queen said looking at the massive bronze telescope that was the focus of the room.
Robert bowed and stepped forward, "All my father's work, built by hand in his final years, became something of an obsession. He spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself."
"I wish I'd met him. I like him. That thing's beautiful. Can I?" the Doctor asked, looking like a kid in a candy store.
Robert nodded, "Help yourself."
Rose followed the Doctor to the masterpiece. He marveled at it while Rose watched in amusement, "What did he model it on?"
Robert shook his head, "I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little, shall we say, eccentric. I wish now I'd spent more time with him and listened to his stories." He sighed in regret.
The Doctor looked in and squinted, "It's a bit rubbish. How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top. That's stupid kind of…" He looked towards Rose who smiled slyly, "Am I being rude again?"
"Yep," Rose said almost laughing at him.
The Doctor blushed at her; she always kept him in line. He cleared his throat, "But it's pretty. It's very pretty." Rose smiled back.
"And the imagination of it should be applauded," the Queen remarked pulling the couple out of their locked gazes.
"Mmm. Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty. Stargazing, isn't that a bit fanciful? You could easily not be amused, or something? No?" Rose said trying again.
"This device surveys the infinite work of God. What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath, steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales," the Queen scoffed at Rose.
The Doctor grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "Stars and magic. I like him more and more."
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company. Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg," the Queen said remembering her beloved.
"That's Bavaria," the Doctor explained to Rose. She nodded.
"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported," the Queen said still reminiscing.
"So, what's this wolf, then?" the Doctor asked trying to get the story out.
"It's just a story," Robert said shaking his head.
"Then tell it," the Doctor prodded.
"It's said that…" Robert started.
The aide interrupted him, "Excuse me, sir. Perhaps her Majesty's party could retire to their rooms. It's almost dark."
"Of course. Yes, of course," Robert agreed.
"And then supper. And could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness," the Queen said glaring at Rose again.
The Doctor stepped closer to her defensively. She smiled still, "It's not amusing, is it?"
The Queen ignored her and turned to Robert, "Sir Robert, your wife must have left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven, and talk some more of this wolf. After all, there is a full moon tonight."
Robert nodded, "So there is, Ma'am." He led Rose and the Doctor to a room, "here are my wife's chambers, please use anything you may need." Rose walked in and looked around, the Doctor tried to follow her. "Sir, are you and this…woman married?" Sir Robert asked him.
The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck, he wanted to lie and say that Rose was his wife but it wasn't true no matter how much he wished it was. "No, we aren't," he sighed.
"Follow me down to the dining room then, she should be fine," Robert said leading the Doctor away from his companion.
Rose explored the contents of a wardrobe and doesn't even register the men leaving. She gazed around the room again and imagined what it would be like to live here with her Doctor. She thought that this would make a beautiful room for them to share. She shook herself out of her dreams and looked back in the wardrobe. She found a blue velvet dress that is to her liking.
Rose opened another cupboard trying to find the other things that she might need. Instead she discovered a housemaid.
"They came through the house. In the excitement they took the Steward and the Master, and my Lady," the maid cried in fright.
Rose hugged the poor girl, "Listen. I've got a friend. He's called the Doctor. He'll know what to do. You've got to come with me." She said forgetting the fact that she was supposed to get dressed.
The maid shook her head and pulled her hand out of Rose's grip, "Oh, but I can't, Miss."
"What's your name?" Rose asked getting close to the frightened maid.
"Flora."
Rose smiled, "Flora, we'll be safe. There's more people arrived downstairs, soldiers and everything, and they can help us. I promise. Come on. Okay? Come on."
The two women left the room and walked down the corridor. They rounded a corner and found one of the soldiers lying on the floor.
Flora shrieked, "Oh, Miss. I did warn you."
The other woman knelt down and checked the man's pulse. She sighed in relief finding a heartbeat, "He's not dead. I don't think, he must be drugged or something."
A man sneaks up behind Flora and grabs her from behind and drags her away. Another took Rose and a third removed the soldier. Rose tried to scream but her capture had her mouth. She decided to save her energy after a few minutes of kicking and squirming didn't provide any results. She tried to send her thoughts toward the Doctor. She had heard him say that she had some telepathy. She hoped that she could reach him and he would help them get out.
Sir Robert led the Doctor down to the Dining room. His thoughts were on Rose, he wondered what she would decide to wear. She would look absolutely exquisite in anything, he was sure of that. His thoughts wandered back to when he took her to see Charles Dickens. She had looked wonderful in the period wear and it had caught him off guard. That was when his companion started to steal his hearts. He smiled at the memories and realized that they had arrived at the kitchen.
He, Sir Robert, and Captain Reynolds all sat down at the giant table and stared out into space. The Queen and her aides entered. The men stood and waited for Her Majesty to take her seat. They all sat again and the servers brought out the food. Everyone loaded their plates and began to eat.
Sir Robert's aide entered the room and turned towards the Doctor, "Your companion begs an apology, Doctor. Her clothing has somewhat delayed her."
The Doctor looked at him questionably, Rose never took this long to dress, but maybe she was having issues with the period wear. "Oh, that's all right. Save her a wee bit of ham," he said setting some on the plate next to him.
The Queen scoffed and rolled her eyes, "The feral child could probably eat it raw."
"Very wise, Ma'am, very witty," the Captain said almost laughing.
The Doctor wanted to defend her but he was the one who made up the story of her being such a woman. He mentally kicked himself and kept his feelings off his face.
Queen Victoria sighed, "Slightly witty, perhaps. I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited. I shall contain my wit in case I do you further injury."
The Captain looked down quickly, embarrassed, "Yes, Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am."
The Time Lord tried to shift the spotlight of his Rose, otherwise he might do or say something that he might regret, "Besides, we're all waiting on Sir Robert. Come, sir. You promised us a tale of nightmares."
"Indeed. Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction," the Queen said turning her attention onto their host.
"You must miss him," the Doctor said sympathetically. He tried to think of what it would be like to lose Rose but he shook himself from the thoughts because he knew that he would not be able to continue without her.
"Very much, Oh, completely, and that's the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills that are just for children, but the hope of some contact with the great beyond, we all want some message from that place. It's the Creator's greatest mystery that we're allowed no such consolation. The dead stay silent, and we must wait. Come. Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters," the Queen begged him.
Sir Robert sighed and looked at the table, "The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. The next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and devoured."
The Captain interrupted him scoffing, "Tales like this just disguise the work of thieves. Steal a sheep and blame a wolf, simple as that."
The host glared at him, they had asked him to tell this story, "But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation, a boy will vanish from his homestead."
"Are there descriptions of the creature?" the Doctor asked looking at the Lord's expression.
"Oh, yes, Doctor. Drawings and woodcarvings, and it's not merely a wolf. It's more than that. This is a man who becomes an animal," he said ominously.
"A werewolf?" he asked, his curiosity peaked again.
The huge window in the dining room revealed a full moon rising.
Sir Robert nodded, "My father didn't treat it as a story. He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast, to have learned its purpose. I should have listened. His work was hindered. He made enemies. There's a monastery in the Glen of Saint Catherine. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations."
The aide gazed out at the moon and started chanting "lupus deus est." The Doctor looked back at him and listened to the chanting.
"Perhaps they thought his work ungodly," the Queen tried to reason.
Sir Robert sighed again, "That's what I thought. But now I wonder. What if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet? What if they turned from God and worshipped the wolf?"
"And what if they were with us right now?" the Doctor questioned still watching the aide chant.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Queen shouted shocked that she had been tricked into another attempt on her life.
The Captain jumped out of his seat and approached the host, "Explain yourself, Sir Robert!" He pointed his gun at him.
"What's happening?" Queen Victoria questioned.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife," Sir Robert pleaded almost in tears.
The Doctor was processing everything and finally jumped up, "Rose! Where's Rose? Where is she? Sir Robert, come on!" The Queen was not his concern, if Rose was hurt or worse, these monks would have to face the Oncoming Storm and he would not be sorry in the least. He and Sir Robert ran down towards the cellar.
The men tossed the women onto the ground and chained them to the group of hostages already there. They left and Rose sat herself up looking around. A young monk in a cage across the room was sitting quietly.
One of the women in the group whispered to Rose, "Don't make a sound. They said if we scream or shout, then he will slaughter us." She continued to cry silently.
Rose tilted her head curiously, "But he's in a cage. He's a prisoner. He's the same as us."
"He's nothing like us. That creature is not mortal," the lady said desperately wishing that the newcomer would be quiet.
The monk that was sitting in the cage opened his eyes and they are completely black. Rose gasped and sank back into the group. She called out to the Doctor in her mind but she knew that it was probably useless. She decided to go down fighting instead, so she stood up and moved towards the crate, as far as the chain would let her. She studied the monk as he watched her.
"Don't, child," the woman begged Rose again.
"Who are you?" Rose asked.
"Don't enrage him," another hostage begged.
"Where are you from? You're not from Earth. What planet are you from?" Rose asked trying to gain information that could possibly help her later.
"Oh, intelligence," the monk commented.
"Where were you born?" she asked again.
"This body? Ten miles away. A weakling, heartsick boy, stolen away at night by the brethren for my cultivation. I carved out his soul and sat in his heart," the Monk laughed.
Rose cringed, "All right, so the body's human. But what about you, the thing inside?"
"So far from home," the Monk almost whined.
"If you want to get back home, we can help," Rose said hoping to gain good ground.
"Why would I leave this place? A world of industry, of workforce and warfare. I could turn it to such purpose," the Monk spat back.
"How would you do that?" Rose asked trying to just figure out the plan now.
"I would migrate to the Holy Monarch," the Monk said triumphantly.
"You mean Queen Victoria?" Rose asked, she tried calling to the Doctor again in her mind.
"With one bite, I would pass into her blood, and then it begins. The Empire of the Wolf. Many questions," the Monk lunged at the crate. "Look. Inside your eyes. You've seen it too."
"Seen what?" Rose asked backing away slightly. She felt as if he could she right inside of her.
"The Wolf. There is something of the Wolf about you," he said at her.
Rose heard the howling in her mind and shook her head, "I don't know what you mean."
"You burnt like the sun, but all I require is the moon," he laughed.
Rose's eyes began to burn bright with gold; the singing of the Heart of the Tardis filled her mind. She was ready to defend these people and her Doctor if that's what it took. No one would ever hurt the Time Lord again because his Time Lady would defend his hearts, even if they would never belong to her.
The cellar doors were flung open, and the light shone in on the crate.
"Moonlight…" the Monk said as he removed his cloak and an unnatural wind started to blow through the cellar.
The Doctor felt a nudge in his mind, he figured that someone was reaching out for help but he didn't know who so he continued to run towards the cellar. Right before he reached the door he heard the Tardis's heart song.
He burst through the door and looks towards Rose, she is glowing gold in front of the caged werewolf. "Oh, that's beautiful," he said.
"Come on, go. Get out!" Sir Robert yelled pulling the Doctor out of his marveling.
The werewolf broke out of the crate.
"Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!" The Doctor yelled trying to get to Rose. He had to bring her out of this before she got hurt. The Doctor stared in admiration. He touched Rose's arm, she turns to him and smiles. He grabbed her hand and turned towards the door. They duck as it threw a piece of crate at them. They ran out and locked the door with the sonic screwdriver. He would ask Rose about the episode later.
They follow the group into the gun room. The Steward handed out the contents of the gun cupboard to the men. "Arms, and you five. Ready, everyone?" he asked. Turning to Lady Isobel, "Take the girls. Get them out through the kitchen."
"I can't leave you. What will you do?" The Lady asked her husband.
"I must defend her Majesty. Now, don't think of me, just go," Sir Robert begged.
"All of you, at my side. Come on!" Lady Isobel said to the girls. They left.
The Doctor concentrated on removing the shackles with the sonic screwdriver. He held her close to him, without drawing any suspicion.
"It could be any form of light modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths. Did it say what it wanted?" he asked trying to pull information out of her.
"The Queen, the Crown, the throne - you name it," Rose said back looking at him.
There was a crash of something bursting through a wooden door. The Doctor went out to investigate and saw the werewolf at the other end of the passageway. He ran back in and grabbed Rose.
"Fire! Fire!" The Steward yelled once the Doctor and Rose were out of the way.
"All right, you men. We should retreat upstairs. Come with me," the Doctor ordered leading the way.
"I'll not retreat. The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault," the Steward argued.
"I'm telling you, come upstairs!" The Doctor yelled back. Rose touched his arm, trying to bring him some calm.
"And I'm telling you, sir, I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall," he said walking back into the corridor. "It must have crawled away to die." He was hoisted up to the ceiling.
Rose reached out but the Doctor grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes, "There's nothing we can do!"
Sounds of snarling and wet meat ripping were heard. Rose cringed and curled herself into the Doctor. He allowed himself to hug her close for a moment.
They needed to move and Rose pulled away and grabbed his hand again. They began to run down the staircase. They saw Queen Victoria carrying a box down the stairs.
Sir Robert called to her, "Your Majesty? Your Majesty!"
She turned towards him and began to walk closer, "Sir Robert? What's happening? I heard such terrible noises."
"Your Majesty, we've got to get out. But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?" Sir Robert asked her.
"Captain Reynolds disposed of him," the Queen replied.
"The front door's no good, it's been boarded shut. Pardon me, Your Majesty. You'll have to leg it out of a window," the Doctor said.
They walked to the Drawing room and stood by a window.
"Excuse my manners, Ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress," Sir Robert offered.
"A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh," the Queen replied.
The Doctor reverted back to his usual London accent, "Yeah, any chance you could hurry up?"
Rose frowned at him. He was being rude and lost that wonderful accent. She squeezed his hand.
Sir Robert opened the window and the monks outside opened fire.
"I reckon the monkey boys want us to stay inside," the Doctor joked.
"Do they know who I am?" the Queen asked.
"Yeah, that's why they want you. The wolf's lined you up for a, a biting," Rose said trying to explain the werewolf's plan.
"Stop this talk. There can't be an actual wolf," the Queen said glaring at Rose. The Doctor steeped in front of Rose partially blocking the queen's view.
A Howl ripped through the night air.
The party ran out into the corridor again.
"What do we do?" Rose asked as they stood there deciding what to do next.
"We run," the Doctor said to her.
"Is that it?" she asked him in disbelief.
"You got any silver bullets?" he asked her.
"Not on me, no," she rolled her eyes.
"There we are then, we run. Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a vigorous jog. Good for the health. Come on!" He said running up the stairs with Rose at his side.
The werewolf smashed its way out of below stairs and followed them.
"Come on! Come on!" he said keeping his pace.
The werewolf was nearly upon them when Reynolds turned and shot. It retreated.
"I'll take this position and hold it. You keep moving, for God's sake! Your Majesty, I went to look for the property and it was taken. The chest was empty," Captain Reynolds yelled at them.
"I have it. It's safe," the Queen replied.
"Then remove yourself, Ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's Protector. And you, Sir Robert, you're a traitor to the crown," the Captain said as he took his position.
"Bullets can't stop it!" the Doctor yelled at him. He didn't want to lose anyone else.
"They'll buy you time. Now run!" the Captain argued back.
The party ran towards the library. Reynolds emptied his revolver at the werewolf before it pounced and ripped him apart. Rose stared in horror.
The Doctor looked at her and pulled her arm. He loved that she still acted so human but he wasn't about to lose her because of it, "Rose!" He dragged her inside the room.
"Barricade the door," Robert yelled at them.
"Wait a minute. Shush, shush, wait a minute," the Doctor said listening.
The Wolf let out one lonely howl.
"It's stopped," he said pulling Rose to him. "It's gone."
"Listen," Rose said listening now too. There were footsteps and growls from outside the walls as it walked around the outside of the room.
"Is this the only door?" the Doctor asked quickly.
"Yes. No!" Robert yells as they barricaded the other door.
"Shush," Rose whispered listening again. The noises continued outside the walls. "I don't understand. What's stopping it?"
"Something inside this room. What is it? Why can't it get in?" the Doctor said thinking out loud.
"I'll tell you what, though," Rose said bringing his out of his brainstorm.
"What?" the Doctor asked looking at her.
"Werewolf," she replied.
"I know. You all right?" he asked hugging her to him again.
"I'm okay, yeah," Rose nodded into his chest. They could think while they held on to eachother.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. It's my entire fault. I should have sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong. I thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?" Sir Robert asked of the Queen.
"Well, they were bald, athletic. Your wife's away, I just thought you were happy," the Doctor tried to joke.
"I'll tell you what though, Ma'am, I bet you're not amused now," Rose tried again.
"Do you think this is funny?" the Queen snapped.
"No, Ma'am. I'm sorry," Rose said blushing, the Doctor held her closer.
"What, exactly, I pray tell me, someone, please. What exactly is that creature?" Queen Victoria asked frustrated.
"You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's a more of a lupine wavelength haemovariform," the Doctor explained.
"And should I trust you, sir? You who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?" she asked glaring at him now.
"Oh right, sorry, that's…" he fumbled trying to put the Scottish accent back on.
"I'll not have it. No, sir. Not you, not that thing, none of it. This is not my world," the Queen refused.
The Doctor looked around again, pulling Rose away from the upset monarch. He notices a carving of mistletoe on the door. "Mistletoe. Sir Robert, did you father put that there?" he asked.
"I don't know. I suppose," Sir Robert shrugged.
"On the other door, too. No, a carving wouldn't be enough. I wonder," he pulled away from Rose and licked the woodwork. Rose made a face, she hated when he decided to lick things. "Viscum album, the oil of the mistletoe. It's been worked into the wood like a varnish. How clever was your dad? I love him. Powerful stuff, mistletoe. Bursting with lectins and viscotoxins," he laughed.
"And the wolf's allergic to it?" Rose asked following his thought process.
"Well, it thinks it is. The monkey monk monks need a way of controlling the wolf, maybe they trained it to react against certain things," he said smiling at Rose.
"Nevertheless, that creature won't give up, Doctor, and we still don't possess an actual weapon," Sir Robert said breaking their gaze.
"Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?" he teased back.
"Being rude again," Rose said slapping his arm playfully.
"Good. I meant that one. You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have," he said running to a shelf. He threw some books to Rose. "Arm yourself." He put on his glasses and began to pour over books.
"Biology, zoology. There might be something on wolves in here…" Rose said flipping through the large books. She never liked research in school but researching with the Doctor was different, especially with his smart specs on.
The Doctor interrupted her, "Hold on, what about this? A book on mistletoe."
"A book on magic," Rose said grabbing another book.
"Some form of explosive?" Sir Robert offered.
"Hmm, that's the sort of thing," the Doctor said looking over the books that were laid out.
"Wolf's bane, what about that?" Rose asked. She noticed that she could now read and process a lot faster than before.
"Look what your old dad found. Something fell to Earth," the Doctor said pointing at a picture in the book on the table.
"A spaceship?" Rose asked.
"A shooting star," Sir Robert corrected. He read on, "In the year of our Lord 1540, under the reign of King James the Fifth, an almighty fire did burn in the pit. That's the Glen of Saint Catherine just by the monastery."
"But that's over three hundred years ago. What's it been waiting for?" Rose asked suspiciously.
"Maybe just a single cell survived. Adapting slowly down the generations, it survived through the humans, host after host after host," the Doctor theorized.
"But why does it want the throne?" Sir Robert asked puzzled.
"That's what it wants. It said so. The, the Empire of the Wolf," Rose confirmed.
"Imagine it. The Victorian Age accelerated. Starships and missiles fueled by coal and driven by steam, leaving history devastated in its wake…" the Doctor and Rose imagined.
"Sir Robert. If I am to die here…" the Queen began.
"Don't say that, Your Majesty," Sir Robert pleaded.
"I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me. But that's no matter. I ask only that you find some place of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself," the Queen requested.
"Hardly the time to worry about your valuables," the Doctor said.
"Thank you for your opinion, but there is nothing more valuable than this," Queen Victoria said as she produced the finest white 105.6 carat diamond.
Rose marveled at the stone, "Is that the Koh-I-Noor?"
"Oh, yes. The greatest diamond in the world," the Doctor said pushing his glasses higher on his nose.
"Given to me as the spoils of war. Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die," she said sadly holding the large diamond.
"Well, that's true of anything if you own it long enough. Can I?" he asked. The Queen forfeited the diamond and he examined it. "That is so beautiful."
"How much is that worth?" Rose asked curiously.
"They say the wages of the entire planet for a whole week," the Doctor said still marveling at it.
"Good job my mum's not here. She'd be fighting the wolf off with her bare hands for that thing," she laughed.
"And she'd win," he joked back. She smacked his shoulder again.
"Where is the wolf? I don't trust this silence," Robert commented.
"Why do you travel with it?" the Doctor asked.
"My annual pilgrimage. I'm taking it to Helier and Carew, the Royal Jewellers at Hazelhead. The stone needs recutting," she sighed.
"Oh, but it's perfect," Rose gushed.
"My late husband never thought so," she laughed a little.
"Now, there's a fact. Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut down. It used to be forty percent bigger than this. But he was never happy. Kept on cutting and cutting," the Doctor babbled.
"He always said the shine was not quite right. But he died with it still unfinished," She sighed again.
"Unfinished. Oh, yes," he said getting an idea. He threw the stone back to Victoria. "There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research, and your husband, Ma'am, he came here and he sought the perfect diamond. Hold on, hold on. All these separate things, they're not separate at all, they're connected. Oh, my head, my head. What if this house, it's a trap for you. Is that right, Ma'am?"
"Obviously."
"At least, that's what the wolf intended. But, what if there's a trap inside the trap?" the Doctor questioned with a glint in his eye.
"Explain yourself, Doctor," she demanded.
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories. They dared to imagine all this was true, and they planned against it, laying the real trap not for you but for the wolf?" he asked. Plaster dust fell from the ceiling. They looked up to the dome's skylight. "That wolf there." The glass in the skylight cracked. "Out! Out! Out!"
The party ran out of the library and into the hallway. The Doctor shut the mistletoe doors on the werewolf.
"Your Majesty!" Robert yelled.
"Get to the observatory!" the Doctor yelled running. Rose brought up the rear of the group. The werewolf caught up with Rose. She screamed. The Doctor turned around looked in fear. There was no way that he could help her now. He just hoped that she could actually regenerate. A pan of liquid was thrown over it. It retreated.
"Good shot," said trying to calm his hearts.
"It was mistletoe," Flora exclaimed.
"Isobel!" Robert yelled grabbing Isobel and kissed her. The Doctor watched as he wrapped Rose in a hug. He wished so much that he could kiss her like that right now. "Now, get back downstairs."
"Keep yourself safe," she cried at her husband.
"Now go," he ordered her.
"Girls, come with me. Down the back stairs, back to the kitchens. Quickly!" she ordered the staff.
"Come on!" the Doctor ordered his small group.
"The observatory's this way," Robert said leading the way.
They reached the Observatory and the Doctor looked around, "No mistletoe in these doors because your father wanted the wolf to get inside. I just need time. Is there any way of barricading this?"
"Just do your work and I'll defend it," Robert said to Rose and the Doctor.
"If we could bind them shut with rope or something," the Doctor said thinking and not listening.
"I said I'd find you time, Sir. Now get inside," Robert ordered.
"Good man," the Doctor agreed and walked inside. "Your Majesty, the diamond."
"For what purpose?" the Queen asked holding on her treasure.
"The purpose it was designed for," the Doctor said. Victoria handed over the diamond. "Rose." Rose followed him and went to the control wheels and started raising the telescope up. "Lift it. Come on."
"Is this the right time for stargazing?" Rose asked looking at him.
"Yes it is," he said winking at her.
The Queen began to pray as they heard fighting outside.
"You said this thing doesn't work," Rose argued.
"It doesn't work as a telescope because that's not what it is. It's a light chamber. It magnifies the light rays like a weapon. We've just got to power it up," he smiled at her explaining his plan.
"It won't work. There's no electricity. Moonlight. But the wolf needs moonlight. It's made by moonlight," Rose argued again.
"You're seventy percent water but you can still drown. Come on! Come on!" he teased her about her human origins.
The moon shone down into the telescope lens and bounced between the prisms, magnifying as it goes. The werewolf broke in and went for Queen Victoria. The Doctor slid the diamond over to where the light hit the floor. It refracted upwards, caught the werewolf in its beam and lifted it up off the floor. The wolf turned back into a young man, hanging as if crucified in mid-air.
"Make it brighter. Let me go," the boy cried.
The Doctor adjusted the magnification on the eyepiece. The man turned back into a wolf shape, howled and vanished. Victoria looked at a small scratch on her wrist.
"Your Majesty? Did it bite you?" the Doctor asked concerned.
"No, it's, it's a cut, that's all," the Queen explained nervously.
"If that thing bit you…" the Doctor started.
"It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart. It's nothing," she repeated.
"Let me see." The Doctor asked.
"It is nothing."
The sun was rising and the group was in the drawing room. In the presence of the whole household, the Doctor and Rose knelt before Queen Victoria, who was armed with a sword.
"By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Sir Doctor of Tardis. By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Rose of the Powell Estate. You may stand." the Queen stated.
"Many thanks, Ma'am," the Doctor said bowing.
"Thanks. They're never going to believe this back home," Rose laughed foregetting that her home was now the Tardis.
"Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving no message from the great beyond. I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now, Ma'am, from beyond the grave," the Doctor explained smiling.
"Indeed. Then you may think on this also. That I am not amused," the Queen said.
"Yes!" Rose said smiling at the Doctor.
"Not remotely amused. And henceforth I banish you," she said looking angry.
"I'm sorry?" the Doctor asked.
"I rewarded you, Sir Doctor, and now you are exiled from this empire, never to return. I don't know what you are, the two of you, or where you're from, but I know that you consort with stars and magic and think it fun. But your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death, and I will not allow it. You will leave this shores and you will reflect, I hope, on how you came to stray so far from all that is good, and how much longer you will survive this terrible life. Now leave my world, and never return," the Queen ordered.
The Doctor and Rose walked out hand in hand and went to find their home.
"But the funny thing is, Queen Victoria did actually suffer a mutation of the blood. It's historical record. She was haemophiliac. They used to call it the Royal Disease. But it's always been a mystery because she didn't inherit it. Her mum didn't have it, her dad didn't have it. It came from nowhere." The Doctor explained as they walked.
"What, and you're saying that's a wolf bite?" Rose asked in disbelief.
"Well, maybe haemophilia is just a Victorian euphemism," he said smiling at her. He was glad to have his wonderful companion here by his side.
"For werewolf?" she laughed.
"Could be," he shrugged.
"Queen Victoria's a werewolf?" Rose laughed again.
"Could be. And her children had the Royal Disease. Maybe she gave them a quick nip," he joked more.
"So, the Royal Family are werewolves?"
"Well, maybe not yet. I mean, a single wolf cell could take a hundred years to mature. Might be ready by, oh, early 21st century?"
"Nah, that's just ridiculous! Mind you, Princess Anne."
"I'll say no more."
"And if you think about it, they're very private. They plan everything in advance. They could schedule themselves around the moon. We'd never know. And they like hunting!"
The Doctor and Rose reached the ship and go inside.
"They love blood sports. Oh my God, they're werewolves!" she laughed jumping into the jump seat with her Doctor.
"I'm glad the Isobel and Flora were there to save you," he said looking deep into her eyes.
"I told you, you're stuck with me," she laughed. "I'm gonna go make some food, you want some?"
"Yeah, I'll be there in a few," he smiled as she got up and left. He needed to talk to the Tardis. He sent the ship into the Vortex and sat back down. "So how close is she to a Time Lord?"
*She has telepathy and connection to me, she will not regenerate though,* the Tardis told him.
"What did you do that for?" he shouted.
*Calm down, she can't regenerate but she cannot die either. As long as I live, she shall live. I will ensure that she heals.*
"Is she forever bound to you?"
*Of course, just like you are. But she is connected to me in a more intimate way. She is a daughter to me, my own blood, if you will.*
"Why did you do this?" he groaned.
*Because you and Rose are so in love, the purest love I have ever seen, don't deny it Time Lord! You know I speak truth!*
"We cannot be together though," he sighed.
*Now you can* the Tardis said.
He decided to stop fighting with her, she won this time. He decided to go find Rose and some food.
AN: So there you have it…I gave you some more sassy Tardis moving those rooms. Please review and follow! I'll try to have a chapter up soon but I will be super busy with school the next few weeks.
